NIGERIANS FACE ECONOMIC STRAIN AS FUEL PRICES SPIKE, WORKERS DEMAND RELIEF

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By: Fasasi Hammad

Nigerian workers are struggling under the weight of soaring fuel prices, which have driven up transportation and living costs nationwide, a situation that organised labour says has been worsened by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

In major cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, petrol now sells for between N1,200 and N1,450 per litre.

For millions of Nigerians, these sky-high fuel prices have become more than an inconvenience—they now pose a daily challenge that threatens jobs, livelihoods, and overall well-being. Workers are calling for urgent government intervention to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

“It feels like our salaries are being swallowed up before we even get to spend them,” said a civil servant in Lagos, reflecting the struggles faced by workers in several states.

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“I now spend over 80% of my salary just to get to work. After paying for transport and feeding my family, there is almost nothing left. How are we supposed to save or plan for the future?” lamented a private sector employee in Lagos.

Olowoyo Gbenga, National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), described the crisis as unprecedented, noting that complaints from workers and the public indicate the severity of the situation.

Commuting costs have quadrupled for workers travelling from satellite towns around Abuja—including Mararaba, Suleja, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, Masaka, Keffi, and Abaji. Similar struggles have been reported in Lagos, Edo, Rivers, Kano, and other states.

“Government must rise to the occasion and take decisive action to address the soaring fuel prices. Failure to act worsens poverty, mental health challenges, and economic hardship among Nigerian workers,” Gbenga said.

The surge in fuel prices has affected the broader economy. Workers report cutting their workweeks to two or three days, while others have resigned due to unaffordable transport. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are also struggling, with many scaling back operations or shutting down entirely.

“Fuel impacts everyone. The government must act decisively to prevent Nigerians from bearing the full brunt of global crises and local mismanagement. The time to act is now,” Gbenga added.

Rising fuel costs have also driven up prices for food, goods, and other essentials, worsening inflation and reducing purchasing power. Anxiety and depression are reportedly increasing as workers face daily financial strain.

Workers are questioning the link between the US–Israel–Iran conflict and local fuel prices, as well as the role of Dangote Refinery and independent marketers in Nigeria’s oil sector, with many answers still pending, contributing to widespread frustration.

The current spike follows the sudden removal of the fuel subsidy on the day President Bola Tinubu assumed office. Since then, the petroleum and energy sector has faced continued instability.

While the federal government has attempted to justify the subsidy removal, the reality for ordinary Nigerians is harsh. Some employers and workers have adopted remote work to ease commuting challenges, and the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) has provided limited relief.

“Palliatives alone cannot solve this crisis. Fuel affects every class of Nigerians. The government must implement comprehensive policies to stabilize fuel prices and reduce the cost of essentials. Relief must not serve political interests; it must serve the people,” Gbenga stressed.

The call is clear: without decisive government action, the fuel crisis will continue to strain Nigerian workers, households, and the wider economy.